[Mrs_Mustang]

Hi everyone,
I could really use some help with this. Lately my car has been making some funny noises coming from underneath the car. It’s kind of like a “honking” noise, but only when I step on the gas from a complete stop. Sometimes it’s very brief, other times it’ll last for almost 2-3 seconds. It’s longer when the wheel is turned. Someone advised me that it might be the power steering pump, but I don’t think so. It comes from all four corners of the car (but not all at once). If the pump was bad, then sound would come anytime the wheel was turned right? And it would only be coming from the front of the car. I am stumped… So I washed my car the other day, decided to scrub/rinse out my wheel wells and the sound stopped, but only for a day or two. ?!? The brakes and rotors are fine, they were all changed by me not long ago, and there is little to no buildup of brake dust. I was going to grease the joints until someone told me that the 2000 Mustangs are factory greased and cannot be topped off. I know the alignment is a little off too, but it don’t think it could be causing this noise. This is unrelated, but I also did the brake fluid about two weeks ago. While I was at it, my husband picked up a can of white grease (the spray kind) and sprayed the struts before we put the tires back on. I got excited when the sound went away for about a week… But like last time, the sound came back. When and why are the struts used? And could this be the problem? Maybe there is a joint or something around the strut that could be causing this obnoxious noise? Any help is really appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[stephen]

There are front struts and rear shocks.

The front struts have a mount at the top with rubber bushings that could be making the noise. You might try replacing the struts and top mounts. If the struts are worn the tires will often wear irregularly (scalloping), so if there is also unusual wear in the tires that would be further evidence.

[GreenFaleen]

bad struts or a bent axle possibly(doubt it though)

[Onemanzu]

you could have a list of things wrong... from craked bearings to bad shocks... or rottend body mounts... haven't heard of that happening ever... but it is an idea... are your shocks dirty at all... like can you see if their is a grimey build up?

also if you push down on your car... just like on the side or something does your car move up and down really easy with a lot of movment?

how did the alignemt get knocked out?

[dadesolja]

is it bad if you push your car from the side an it goes up and down?

[Mrs_Mustang]

How many struts are there? Stephen said there were only two in the front and two shocks in the back. Is it possible that both could go bad instantaneously? To be honest, I hear the sound more from the back then the front. The struts and shocks must look exactly the same because I cant tell a difference... It looks like a black sheath like thing behind each tire. But why would it only make this sound when I step on the gas from a stop? These parts are shock absorbers, shouldn't they be working all the time? Meaning I would hear it every time I go over a pothole... This is what I'm stumped about...

The alignment is off because I bought the car as a rebuilt salvage. (And the roads I drive on to get to school have more craters than the moon!). I saw pictures of the wrecked car and it really wasn't that bad. The only parts that were changed were the front passenger side quarter panel, the hood, bumper cover, airbags and headlight assembly. I don't believe the car ever had frame damage. But I'm just assuming the alignment is off because I bought the tires new and they are wearing unevenly. (This was before I heard the honking sound).

[Mrs_Mustang]

I just tried bouncing the car and it barely bounces back once. Maybe I'm not putting enough force? I don't think so though. I put my body weight in the door frame and jumped up and down a couple times, but as soon as I stopped the car stopped too. No honking or anything.

Maybe it does have something to do with the brakes but what? They're brand new... Could the brake pads be sticking to the rotor? And then when I press the gas I hear it coming off? But how... It's not like I stomp the brake. Does this make any sense or am I just babbling?

[stephen]

Just a guess but could it be coming from the brake pads?

They often make a noise when you release the brakes. Perhaps some disk brake lubricant on the sliding points of the pads would help.

The front shocks are struts and the rear are conventional shocks. It's a bit of a technical point because the front struts don't have a spring mounted on them and I'm not sure exactly what the technical distinction is.

Anyway if you can't reproduce the noise by bouncing the car I don't think it is the struts.

[Mrs_Mustang]

That's very possible... I did change the brake pads recently and I don't remember using any lubricant. I think I'll do that this weekend if it's not downpouring like it is today... I really hope it's something simple like that. Keep your fingers crossed.